Sangolli Rayanna Utsav,2025, celebrated in Sangolli near Baihongal in Belagavi district over a weekend.
The Utsav was honoured by the legacy of Sangolli Rayanna, a revered freedom fighter from Karnataka. The event, featured cultural programmes, discussion sessions, folk art and various other competitions which truly reflects his contributions and inspiring patriotism.
The event was inaugurated by Mahantesh Kaujalgi, State Finance Corporation Chairman of Karnataka and MLA Babasaheb Patil in the presence of Guruling Shivacharya Swamiji of Sangoli and Madiwal Rajayogindra Swamiji of Kittur Kalmath.
He further stated that, “The state government is trying to organise the Utsav in a meaningful manner, by ensuring that today’s youth are made aware of Rayanna’s contribution to the freedom movement.”
A puja in the morning was offered to the statue of Sangoli Rayanna. MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi welcomed Rayanna Jyoti. The procession, started near the Rayanna memorial in Sangolli, travelled through the main street of the village. Musical instruments and the dance groups created a festive atmosphere of the village.
Rrabhavathi Fakkirpur, Bailhongal assistant commissioner hoisted the flag of the Kittur statue on premises of the Sangolli Rayanna memorial hall. MLA, Kittur Babasaheb Patil launched the folk art procession.
Various groups of people , including women with kumbha, puja kunitha, nandi kolu, veeragase, dollu and bombe kunitha. These traditional acts added colour, energy and spark to the celebration.
The evening event was inaugurated at the Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna Vedike at the government high school grounds in Sangolli. A night long deepotsav in memory of the freedom fighters was inaugurated by the members of Sangolli GP.
The evening’s Rasamanjari programme attracted huge crowd by the performance of the renowned playback singer Rajesh Krishnan and team.
The MLA said, “Whenever we think of Kittur Chennamma, we must recall Krantiveer Sangoli Rayanna. He fought for freedom through his sacrifices by igniting the fire of struggle against the British and led Channamma’s army in the year 1824”
He also stated that, “We should be proud of the fact that Rani Channamma, Sangolli Rayanna and Amatur Balaappa, who defeated the British in the first Kittur battle, were all from the neighboring villages.”
Furthermore, he also said that, “We are committed to develop Sangolli village and Bailhongal Taluk. Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, has kept his promise of starting a residential Sainik school in memory of Rayanna in Sangolli and to construct a monument for the soldier by building a rock garden and castle there.
Siddaramaiah also inaugurated the foundation stone for several projects for the development of the area, which includes Bevinakoppa bridge, drinking water projects and roads. We are taking steps to develop irrigation, agriculture, education in the region.”
Sri Madiwala Rajyogindra Mahaswamy of Kittur Kalmath said that the small kingdom of Kittur shocked the British, noting that its valiant fight against the British left a lasting impact.
He demanded that the Belagavi Airport at Sambra be named after Rani Channamma and the Hubballi Airport after Sangolli Rayanna, as it highlights the historical importance of the small kingdom of Kittur and honoring their contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
The seer said, “A statue of Bichugatti Channabasappa, who was in the Sangolli Rayanna army, should be built.” as a tribute to his valor and service.
The mesmerizing event was attended by Prabhavati Fakirpur, Assistant Commissioner , Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Vidyavati Bhajantri, Tahsildar Hanumant Shirahatti Nagaraj, Hanumath Shirahatti and along with other officials, marking their presence to the significance of the Utsav.